Canada Rocky Mountains 2007

Well, timing for the OTH Tours Canadian Rocky Mountain High Tour 2007 went according to plan with everything sorted and dates finalised for what proved to be the perfect tonic at the end of a hectic financial year. Getting away from work pressures and out in the Canadian wilderness on our bikes was just what everyone was after.

 

Day 1-3

Our Tour started with a three-night stay in Vancouver for participants to acclimatise and work through any jet lag which might follow the semi-direct flight from Sydney. Some riders took the opportunity to extend their Tour by arriving in Vancouver a few days early and take in a bit more of this beautiful sea-side city. This gave us the opportunity to ride up Cypress Bowl Road near to the top of Cypress Mountain before official festivities began. I say “near to” because after about 1½ hours of climbing the rain started and temperature dropped.

 

Deciding to try and beat the climate change by turning around proved to be a memorable experience. It had to be one of the coldest days most of us ever experienced on a bike; what with the rain, cold and lack of any need to pedal, we froze sitting still on our bikes for the 60 minutes it took to get to sea level. More than one of us had uncontrollable shakes that were only treated by way of a long, hot shower!

 

The next day proved warmer and we took this opportunity to ride through the green grounds of the University of BC in Vancouver’s West End. Since it was summer there wasn’t much action about, but you could feel the teeming buzz of an academic year.

 

A night of good food and fine wine allowed everyone to mix and mingle while enjoying a sample of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Our Tour timed perfectly to enjoy the festivities that such festivals provide. Some were the worse for wear the next day as a result and suffered somewhat in our last chance to take in the sights of Canada’s west coast city.

 

Day 4

Vancouver – Whistler 122kms

Heading out of Vancouver we were bound to pick up some weekend traffic. However, what wasn’t anticipated was the road works taking place in preparation for the 2008 Winter Olympics, which included major sections of road being widened to allow for the expected increase in traffic to Whistler for the Nordic events.

 

Once in Whistler and our accommodation it was time to get stuck into some of that famous Canadian hospitality ‘round the dinner table. Our waiter for the night even providing his views on our upcoming ride in the morning and asking if he could join the bunch, being a keen cyclist himself.

 

Day 5

Whistler – Lillooet 131 kms

True to his word, our waiter from last night rocked up this morning all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ready to roll towards his turnaround point of Pemberton. He kept us honest on the roads out of Whistler, which today provided the only bit of wet weather (aside from Cypress Mountain) that we were to experience the entire Tour.

 

Saying our goodbyes we headed off toward the toughest climb yet; 4kms of 16% gradient followed by 10kms of 10%. As hard as (if not harder) than any climb in Europe, this road put everyone’s climbing skills to the test; and two in the van! It was hard. But, what goes up must come down and we did just that for the next 50kms.

 

It was on this stretch that Graham showed his bike handling skills as he controlled a dual wheel disaster riding through a pothole destroying one rim and damaging another. That was the end of his day.

 

We arrived in Lillooet, a small country town that has logging and mining as it’s mainstays and  stuck in a time-warp of old-country-west. Imagine our surprise then when we were treated to a fantastic authentic meal in the only Greek restaurant in probably 500kms! It was truly amazing food that would do well in any city around the world.

 

Day 6

Lillooet – Cache Creek 86 kms

You would have thought you were in the desert today. The dry, stony scrub of this areas belied the snowfall it gets each year; the mountains we crossed yesterday doing their best to prevent moisture falling in this region. On the bikes it proved hot with 30° temperatures and clear blue sky had us downing litres of fluid while reaching for the sun block. Heading in a zigzagging direction we stopped for a roadside lunch beside Pavilion Lake, part of local Indian lands, before making a quick-ish entry to Cache Creek.

 

Day 7

Cache Creek – Kamloops 79 kms

Another day of desert landscape was no hindrance to Neil collecting the highest recorded speed for OTHT Canada; 84.7kmh on a 7% descent was enough to ensure his spot on top of the speed table (if only he could do that going uphill!).  The rest of the troop were content in maintaining a regular pace that got us there in no time at all given the flat-ish nature of the inland area. A relaxing day today that maintained the cowboy western feel to the trip.

 

Day 8

Kamloops – Salmon Arm 112 kms

Another flat day taking us across the midsection of ranching territory. Dry and hot was the forecast; dry and hot it was. Those who had never been to this part of the world (and that’s everyone bar one) were surprised to learn of the temperature range that occurs over the year. From the 35° we were experiencing to -35° in winter it’s a full 70° of variance that is quite unheard of in many parts of the world. Frank had to ask a number of people if it was really the case given the extreme range in temperature.

 

Thankfully, the temperature did cool down as we got closer to Salmon Arm and the northern tip of Shushwap Lake, a popular summer holiday destination. With house boats, water skiing and pleasure boats it was all about the water.

 

Day 9

Salmon Arm – Revelstoke 98 kms

Continuing east we headed through Sicamous, Malakwa and Three Valley on our way to Revelstoke. Time now to say goodbye to the flat, dry ranching landscape we had become accustomed to and get into more of what the Rockies are made for; forests and climbs. Nothing overly strenuous on today’s leg as that would come tomorrow. But there were slight rises that reminded us where we were.

 

Revelstoke is an up and coming skiing destination with the largest ski hill in North America being developed right on its’ door step. Due for completion by winter 2008 it is sure to bring any number of cold weather dare-devils in for some winter fun. So much is being put into this area that there’s even a heliport for transfer from the nearest airport.

 

Day 10

Time for a rest day…and well earned. Some riders took to walking around town, taking in the local attractions and having a break from biking. For others, Mt. Revelstoke called out to be ridden; 25 kms up with no rest or flattest sections ensured those with a steady pace would reach the top. (This doesn’t include those on powered two wheels…) At the top was our first and only experience of snow….just on the ground! While a bit cool, it was warm enough to keep the chills at bay before turning a 90 minute climb into a 20 minute descent.

 

Day 11

Revelstoke – Golden 148 kms

Today was our longest day in the saddle and the highest point of the trip. Rogers Pass is the highest point of the Trans Canada Highway and is like a sculpture in the mountains. The air was clean, sky clear and summer in full glory. It was truly stunning standing amongst these  granite monoliths, taking in the force of nature that created them in the first place…the forests, glaciers, just everything. In one word; humbling.

 

Neil’s speed record was at risk on the descent from Rogers Pass, but it wasn’t to be; 84.3kmh was the best Craig could do as Neil was fast on his tail the entire 20kms down. One thing that can be said about all of it, though…..don’t try this at home!

 

Day 12

Golden – Lake Louise 71 kms

Golden itself isn’t much to speak of. It’s a transport hub of two main highways. What is amazing is Lake Louise. A naturally forming emerald green lake cut into the mountain from a retreating glacier ensure scenes you’d expect in a Hollywood movie or picture postcard. Any picture you see of this gorgeous lake cannot reveal the true colours and feel for the mineral rich water; so rich that your hand disappears 10cm below the surface into it’s icy grip. (In winter the lake freezes over and you can ice skate on it.)

 

Lake Louise is also in the middle of Banff National Park, a protected area that ensures the Canadian wild can continue living and growing with minimal intrusion from population growth. To get here the journey today took us through Yoho National Park which borders BNP. It is in these areas that the Canadian Rocky Mountains are portrayed all around the world.

 

Day 13

Lake Louise – Banff 56 kms

The shortest day today and arguable one of the best. It was more of the same being in the midst of BNP and all the Rockies offer. The secondary road taken today through Johnston Canyon was described by one participant as “possibly the best road I’ve ridden.” Strong praise for a part of the world not normally considered as road-biking territory.

 

The rest of the day was spent wandering around Banff Township and travelling the heights of surrounding mountains. The picture at the top of this page was taken from the peak of Sulphur Mountain, where sits a weather station at the absolute peak. In fact, the small hut had been shored up on all sides to ensure it’s 360° view over the Bow Valley, enabling the rangers uninterrupted observation as they spent seven days at a time living in a shack no more than five meters square. I’ll bet they were glad when electronic monitoring began!

 

Day 14

Banff – Calgary 128 kms

The last day of our Tour and it was a steady and slight downhill all the way, save for one 200 metre climb in the middle. Today was tough, not for the distance or the climb, but for the headwind we had to endure most of the way. Usually the prevailing wind runs west-east, but today it flipped around and was in our face.

 

When we arrived in Calgary it was time for a quick swim in the pool before heading out to the famous Ed’s Restaurant for a solid feed and savouring of spicy chicken wings. Nobody does wings like Ed’s….it was time to get stuck right into them!

 

Back at the hotel the party split up for some to prepare their return home and others to continue their journey in Calgary, Quebec and Europe.

 

All in all the entire trip went down without any accidents or major incidents. The closest we came was Graham running over a pot hole and damaging his wheels, putting him off the bike for a day before being fixed up in Salmon Arm. This and Alan’s numerous punctures (last count was near on 40) were the only significant mechanicals to speak of….Alan was reminded of the benefits of good rim tape.

 

Biological-mechanicals were limited to three on day five and were characterised by a loud craaaaaccckkk as these riders “hit the wall.” (Names have been suppressed to save dignity…) But, after more than 1300kms in two weeks, everyone put in a sterling effort to cross the finish line fit and healthy.

 

Now, about those European mountains…..